TWO amber flood alerts are currently in force across mid Cheshire – less than a week after some areas were hit by flooding.

THE trust that runs Leighton Hospital is reporting its highest number of coronavirus patients since the pandemic began.

SMART motorways "present an ongoing risk of future deaths", a coroner has concluded, following an inquest into the deaths of two men on a stretch of the M1 with no hard shoulder.

YOUNG footballers from Northwich are putting in a team effort to tackle the problem of not being able to train or play during lockdown, while raising money for charities.

A BARNTON man who was stopped driving his car in lockdown shortly before 2am was found to be more than twice the legal drink drive limit.

A NEW Covid test centre opens today at Winsford Lifestyle Centre to provide rapid and weekly testing for people who cannot work from home.

MORE than 300 new cases of Covid have been confirmed across Cheshire East and West as both boroughs continue to see their infection rates fall.

THE number of services on the Mid Cheshire Line have been reduced as part of timetable changes during lockdown.

PEOPLE aged over 80 who are still waiting for their Covid vaccine invitation will be contacted ‘in the next four weeks’, the Health Secretary says.

A MAJOR housebuilder with developments in Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich has made two kind donations to help support the towns’ foodbanks.

The Government is currently on track to vaccinate 15 million people across the UK by mid-February including health and social care staff.

SCIENTISTS in Cheshire have revealed the speed and scale at which the new variant of Covid is spreading through communities across the country.

RESIDENTS in rural Northwich villages could be set to benefit from a new bus service.

IN a bid to beat the winter blues, regional rail operator Northern has joined Samaritans to encourage passengers and staff to reach out to someone they care about and connect over a virtual cuppa this winter for ‘Brew Monday’.

THE over-70s and clinically extremely vulnerable people will begin receiving invitations for coronavirus jabs this week in a “significant milestone” for the vaccination programme, the Government has announced.

As more people receive the lockdown it is worth knowing what is advised for those who have have had the jab.

A POPULAR family attraction has lodged plans for a permanent 'drive-thru' facility to help safeguard the future of the business amid the financial challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.

THIS week, charges for extra care services in some Cheshire West facilities were extended — with the most talked-about fee being a weekly £6 bill for the use of the pull-cord.

WEATHER warnings have been issued with heavy bouts of rain early next week having the potential to lead to flooding.

OUTDOOR activity groups could soon benefit from a re-developed Pettypool Centre in Cuddington — with works aiming to make social distancing easier.

A LONG-RUNNING battle for permission to convert a former village pub has come to an end.

Sadly, our hair and beauty salons have had to close their doors, to help to protect the communities from spreading the virus, in line with the Government’s plea for us to stay home and stay safe.

AN attempt to build another 20 homes on the site of Hartford’s former Mid Cheshire College campus has been scrapped.

MEMBERS of the police force pay the cheapest car insurance premiums for insuring their personal vehicles, according to new data from a leading UK motoring insurance comparison website.

Stores including the likes of Sainsbury's, Tesco, Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons and Waitrose have urgently recalled a number of items.

LOCKDOWN is firmly set in, and it can feel as if the Covid-19 nightmare will continue for months, which it may well do.

A LORRY burst into flames on the M6 on Saturday morning, resulting in the full closure of a stretch of the busy motorway.

A CAMPAIGN group against HS2 has been attacked by the company building the project and accused of ‘scaremongering’ the public.

IF you are looking to start a new life in the country, the Guardian’s property of the week could be just what you are looking for.

FOLLOWING Cheshire’s rise to Tier 4 for Covid restrictions and the start of the third lockdown, infection rates are starting to fall in the county.

AN abandoned van which was left dumped outside a row of shops in Hartford has finally been moved on.

SCHOOLS are closed, the weather is grim and the lockdown rules require us to stay in and near home as much as possible.

The Tesco Clubcard is a loyalty card scheme allows shoppers can collect points when they shop.

A YOUNG lorry driver is being hailed a hero after stopping traffic on the M6 when a car spun into the central reservation – preventing a much more serious incident.

THE Prime Minster has said complacency could be 'fatal' as he announced all travel corridors to the UK will close from 4am on Monday.

FLOODING has hit parts of Northwich following this week’s heavy rain.

ST HELENS RFC’s stadium will be the site of the mass Covid-19 vaccination centre in Cheshire and Merseyside, it has been announced.

THE town centre's councillor is calling for answers after parts of Northwich were affected by flooding.

AROUND 20,000 residents could have had their Covid-19 vaccine by ‘early next week’.

ANOTHER 428 Covid cases have been confirmed in Cheshire East and West as the boroughs see their infection rates slowly head in the right direction.

TWO self employed people whose work disappeared during the pandemic have launched new businesses in lockdown.

I notice the vexed question of hunting is back on the agenda.

2021 was already going to herald a new era for Northwich-based Speedworks Motorsport.

THE team providing Northwich with a route out of the Covid gloom is overwhelmed by the support it has received so far.

A CHESHIRE MP believes online learning is now here to stay and is urging the Government to help make it work for every child.

One of the newest symptoms you should be looking out for according to experts is Covid tongue.

A RED flood warning has been issued for parts of Northwich this afternoon following heavy rain – while the town centre’s flood defences are being put up.

AN appeal for volunteers to help with the Covid vaccination programme in Northwich has been inundated with offers of help.

ARMED police were sent out to a property in Castle today, January 14, following concerns for a person’s safety.

TWO trainspotters have been sent home from Acton Bridge station having been warned their hobby is not a valid reason to be outside in lockdown.